A Pro Musician Answers Your Questions About Professional Music

[Scriveyn]

Some ten or more years ago, when I talked to a composer/bandleader friend, the production of an album was considered in the several $10k range and it was hard to find this kind of money. Meanwhile, they put out at least one album per year, while I don't see that funding has improved (on the contrary rather). - So my question is: Have prices come down over the past 10-15 years, perhaps due to the fact(?) that these days anyone can setup a production studio at a comparatively low cost?

[Undertoad]

Oh can I take a shot at this one and them you can correct or add as you see fit SM?! This seems like a semi-pro question and not a pro question...

I've known a few people at the semi-pro level who have recorded albums for $5k, often at studios charging $25/hour. This is mostly guitar/bass/simple drums stuff, which people have recorded for a long time, and many people know how to do it. The result is "good enough" in that the results are accurate, pleasant, and convey the artist's songs sufficiently.

That same amount of money, invested in recording gear, would get you enough stuff to do some semi-pro recording yourself, provided you know what you're doing and depending on what you're trying to record. This is the sea change, because to record 72 tracks 30 years ago took a dedicated facility with massive equipment (huge 2" tape machines with large motors and remote automation!) and a full-time engineer keeping things running. Now 90% of that gear can be replaced with a $1k computer and $1k of software... as much as would be spent just on special recording tape, 30 years ago.

It's the "know what you're doing" part that seems to separate the pro from the semi-pro, and to take something from 90% done to 100% done, sonically broadcast-ready and marketable, etc. Furthermore there are sonic "fashions" which we minions are rarely even aware of, which go in and out of style as fast as women's shoes.

Take it SM

[Master Cthulhu]

It is fairly easy nowadays to get a professional sounding recording from your own home.

But know which programs to use and how to use them BEFORE recording, because it is a real pain to have to go back and re-do everything.

[Trilby]

My son Danny (17) wants to know how important is it to be able to read traditional music? Danny reads tone-notes.

And he wants me to say that he thinks you're bad ass for being a pro musician.

[Scriveyn]

Originally Posted by Brianna

My son Danny (17) wants to know how important is it to be able to read traditional music? Danny reads tone-notes.

And he wants me to say that he thinks you're bad ass for being a pro musician.

I never really learnt to read music and music education at my school was lousy and next to non-existent. I have been interested in seriously listening to music (jazz) since I was 14. But it was only my mid-thirties, when I struck up acquaintance with my favourite musicians, that I wish I had had a better music education.

[Scriveyn]

Here is where my friends record for a number of years now: Jon Hiseman's (of Colosseum fame) studio:

http://www.temple-music-studio.com/

That certainly looks pro to me.

[smoothmoniker]

Originally Posted by Brianna

My son Danny (17) wants to know how important is it to be able to read traditional music? Danny reads tone-notes.

And he wants me to say that he thinks you're bad ass for being a pro musician.

Ooops! Sorry Bri, I skipped over it the first time.

It depends on what he wants to do. For serious session players, it's essential. You have to read or you don't work. If you work mostly on band projects, and ear is much more important.

On about 50% of the projects I play for, I never see an scrap of written paper. I go into the studio, listen to the demo once or twice, then go sit down at the piano and play something that feels right. I have a system for sketching out a basic rhythm chart while listening to a song for the first time, so that after one listen I can play it. That matters more, most of the time, than being able to read traditional piano music.

And tell him thank you. I feel pretty bad ass. Here in my khakis and polo. Driving a jetta. To Gymboree.

[sugarpop]

Originally Posted by smoothmoniker

...And tell him thank you. I feel pretty bad ass. Here in my khakis and polo. Driving a jetta. To Gymboree.

bwahahahahahahahahahaha

[smoothmoniker]

UT is right on the money with this one, especially if you are making a "band" record, where the players are all working for free. Self-produced albums take less money, and a lot more time. If you have to pay the players, the money you saved by self-producing gets eaten up by paying players to sit there while you figure out how to make a record.

I think everyone should at least attempt to produce their own first album. You will learn more about music, about your own playing and songwriting, than almost anything else you could do.

Then, I highly recommend getting pros involved on the second go round. You'll appreciate the difference.

[smoothmoniker]

This is my thumbnail sketch of a budget for producing a pop singer/songwriter using everything pro, with the intention of getting songs placed on TV and Film, and major radio airplay. This is an indie budget, and includes no marketing, distribution, or even manufacturing budget.

Primary tracking (6 days)
Studio: $5000/ week (lockout with assistant engineer)
Engineer: $4500 ($450 per day)
Rhythm Section: $18,000 ($750 per day, 4 players, 6 days)

Vocal Tracking (3 days)
Studio: $1350 ($450 per day, including engineer)

Overdubs
Guitar: $1500 (2 days, his studio)
Keyboards: $1500 (2 days, my studio)

Mix (10 songs)
mix prep: $750 ($75 per song)
mix standard: $9600 ($1200 x 8 songs)
mix singles: $6000 ($3000 x 2 songs)
mastering: $3000 ($300 per song)

total: $51,200

This is what it would cost to make an album that could compete musically, sonically, artistically, with anything out there. This is hiring the best players around (maybe not the best known, but still top tier guys), great studios, high end mix, everything.

[Scriveyn]

Originally Posted by smoothmoniker

This is my thumbnail sketch of a budget ...

Thanks, that is very illuminating. The sum total is about the price tag I had from a discussion years ago. So, having the individual components spelled out like that, I understand much better now.

Edited: Having said that, it is still completely beyond me, how musicians who don't go down the dumbed down pop chaff producing lane can make a living. They are certainly welcome to the money I spend on their concerts/albums, as well as lottery funds and such. - MC, I'd rather say "The words 'music' and 'pop' right next to each other sicken me."

[Master Cthulhu]

I hate the factor of money in music.

The words "music" and "industry" right next to each other sickens me.

[smoothmoniker]

Originally Posted by Master Cthulhu

I hate the factor of money in music.

The words "music" and "industry" right next to each other sickens me.

Do you think it makes me a better musician or a worse musician that I get to spend 100% of my professional life, 40+ hours per week, doing music? Do you think I would be half the musician I am if I had to hold down the swing shift at Walmart and do music on the side?

No disrespect, (at all!) to musicians who do that. Viva la music! More musicians, playing more music, in more places, please! I also know that many of those guys would be much better players than I am if they had been given the chance to pursue it professionally in the way I was.

But I can speak about my experience. I wouldn't have the creative and personal energy to spend 40 hours a week at a day job, and then still practice 10 hours a week, hustle for gigs, rehearse, record, arrange, mix, do all of the hundreds of things that go into being a professional. I just wouldn't

So, I don't know if what I've contributed to the world musically matters at all, but there are some things I've done that I am damn proud of, and they would have been impossible without the "evil" influence of money in music, because it's that money that allows me to DO this.

[Flint]

Money just provides access to necessary resources, as it does in any other area of life.

In the most basic scenario, a musician spends money on a better quality instrument instead of other things.

[Trilby]

So, I guess I'll just tell Danny you didn't respond to his question.

ok.